Police issue warning to householders following spate of burglaries

Police are encouraging householders across the borough to take some simple crime prevention steps after six reports of overnight burglaries.

The crimes were reported across the Antrim and Newtownabbey district on Tuesday and Wednesday (September 22/23), and most involved thieves gaining access to properties via unsecured doors or windows.

Chief Inspector Stephen Reid said: “The burglaries were all reported to police across the last 24 hours and involved sheds and houses having been entered. Unfortunately, the majority of the houses and sheds had been left unlocked.

“Three of the incidents are what we describe as creeper burglaries. This is where criminals get inside a property and steal car or house keys. In Greyabbey Gardens and the Shore Road, cars were stolen when houses were entered and car keys were taken from inside. In another overnight incident, door keys were taken from inside a house in the Marine Court area of Whiteabbey.”

He added: “We are working hard to reduce burglaries in the area through a mix of managing prolific offenders and increasing proactive and visible police patrols. However, I would again ask that people support us in putting criminals on the back foot. Please always lock windows and doors when you are not inside the home, and report any suspicious activity to us immediately. If you think that a crime is in progress, please dial 999. If it is a non-emergency dial 101.”